Electrical power steering (EPS) problems can turn every drive into an unpredictable chore—one moment your wheel feels normal, the next it’s heavy, jerky, or completely unresponsive. If your vehicle is still under warranty and repeated trips to the dealership haven’t fixed the issue, you may be wondering whether California’s lemon law can help. At ZapLemon, we focus on educating California drivers about their rights when a persistent defect affects safety, use, or value—especially when the problem involves steering.
Electrical Power Steering Failures Explained
Modern vehicles rely on electrical power steering to help you turn the wheel with minimal effort. Unlike older hydraulic systems, EPS uses an electric motor, sensors, and software to assist steering, which improves fuel efficiency and allows advanced driver-assistance features. When everything works, you barely notice it. When it doesn’t, the results can be unnerving—particularly at low speeds, during lane changes, or while parking.
Common signs of EPS trouble include a steering wheel that suddenly gets very heavy, a steering-assist warning light on the dashboard, intermittent loss of assist after startup, or a wheel that pulls or “wanders” on the highway. Some drivers notice a brief loss of assist that returns after shutting the car off and back on, while others experience persistent stiffness, clunking, or a notchy, uneven feel while turning. Because EPS problems can be intermittent, dealerships may struggle to “duplicate” the issue unless it’s carefully documented.
The root causes vary. Faulty torque or steering-angle sensors, steering rack motor failures, corroded wiring or connectors, software glitches that require reprogramming, and low-voltage issues from a weak battery or alternator can all trigger EPS warnings or failures. If your car has a recall or technical service bulletin (TSB) related to steering, the dealer may need to perform specific updates or parts replacements. For your safety, if the steering becomes hard to control, pull over when it’s safe to do so and arrange for towing rather than forcing the vehicle home.
How California Lemon Law Covers EPS Failures
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act—commonly known as the California lemon law—generally protects consumers when a vehicle has a warranty-covered defect that the manufacturer cannot repair within a reasonable number of attempts. EPS defects often affect safety and drivability, which can make them significant under the law. Coverage can apply to new vehicles and, in many cases, used or certified pre-owned vehicles that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. Every situation is fact-specific, and timelines matter.
What counts as a “reasonable number” of repair attempts varies. In general, the law looks at how many times you’ve brought the car in, how long it has been in the shop, and how serious the problem is. For serious safety-related issues like steering, even a small number of unsuccessful repair attempts may be important. There’s also a “presumption” under California law that may apply if certain conditions are met within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles (for example, multiple repair attempts or 30+ total days out of service), but this is not the only path to potential relief.
If you’re experiencing EPS problems, take practical steps now: keep copies of all repair orders and invoices, note dates and mileage, describe the steering symptoms in plain language on the service intake form, and save any photos or videos that capture warning lights or erratic steering behavior. Ask the dealer to note any TSBs or software updates performed. If the issue recurs after repair, return promptly for further diagnosis and document each visit. When you’re ready to explore your options, a consultation with a California lemon law firm like ZapLemon can help you understand how the law may apply to your situation and what next steps could look like.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and results depend on the specific facts of each case. If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon due to electrical power steering problems, contact ZapLemon to schedule a consultation at (310) 489-3017 or https://zaplemon.com. We’re here to explain the process, review your documentation, and help you understand your rights under California law.